The world the car race is in mourning. The former pilot of Formula 1 German Jochen Mass, who also won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1989, died at the age of 78.
Mass had started his career in F1 in 1973 with Surtees and then joined McLaren between 1974 and 1977. He won a Grand Prix, that of Spain in 1975, but had only scored half of the points because the event had been interrupted before the mid-race due to the accident of his compatriot Rolf Stommelen who had caused the death of several spectators.
After ending his career in F1 in 1982, he had joined the endurance where he had carved out a beautiful record, notably with Porsche, winning in particular the 24 hours of Le Mans in 1989. He won a total of 30 races and finished twice vice-world champion.
“It is with a heavy heart that we must announce that Jochen Mass died today from complications after a brain attack suffered in February,” said his family.
Jochen Mass lived in the south of France and still led cars in recent years to demonstrations of historic vehicles.
